help them meet at the agreed-upon lo

rman, a mountain of a man in a tailored suit, recognized her fro

supple leather, and hushed conversations. Th

ooking for someone to go on a blind date with,since the face in th

o matched the description. Tall, dark hair, wearing an

ed over. The pain in her side was a constant, sharp

han she expected. "I'm here today to meet you f

n look

rey. Like a winter storm over the Atlantic. His presence was far more intimidating th

nkillers and adrenaline, didn't notice the discr

despite the fire in her abdomen. "I need to get married. Within th

as unreadable. He slowly, deliberately, turned the crown

cy of a top-tier executive assistant. "This would be a contrac

etail, the bait she bel

ation hang in the air. "Our arrangement would be mutually beneficial. We maintain separate live

onvenient shield to a gay man tr

aned forward. The intensity in his gaze made her breath catc

d. "Then... wha

who can shield me from the label of being gay, and you need a marri

ple. The possessiv

all frame loomed over the booth, casting her in his shadow

out hi

offer. It w

nvisioned it. She expected negotiation, hesitation,

s. The pain in her side was getting worse, a s

ded thi

o a stop in front of the M

rm, warm pressure on the small of her back.

hought surfaced in her muddled mind, that's what the f

very dedicated, having quickly

ce agent, was already waiting inside. He held a clipboard with all the

eeded were

the hum of fluorescent lights, Ana finally saw

en Ve

he had heard that name before-in business circles, in